Programme

What was Wood Preservation 2012?

Wood Preservation 2012 provided a unique three-yearly technology update for around 200 delegates involved in wood treatment from throughout New Zealand and Australia.

What did the 2012 event cover?

The two-day programme, Wood Preservation 2012, outlined the very latest developments with new wood preservative formulations, advances in alternative products and the industry's response to increasing environmental issues and changes that are occurring now in production, distribution and retailing in Australasia, North America, Europe and Asia.

As a consequence of new legislation and the growing “green consumerism”, the market for wood preservatives has changed dramatically. A wide range of new treatment formulations, application systems and alternative wood treatment technologies were profiled as part of the 2012 technology series.

Modified wood, discussed briefly in 2009, is now a commercial reality. Economic considerations in the past have meant that modified rather than wood treated with preservatives has needed to command a high price in the marketplace to attract investment. Technological advances, regulatory changes, green building practices, environmental concerns and in some cases, new science, have meant that market price points for a number of modified wood products, are today at a level where investors and consumers are backing these new technologies.

A number of companies have been formed and are now producing, remanufacturing and selling increasing quantities of these new wood products.  Presentations from the early adopters – producers and distributors of modified wood products presented at Wood Preservation 2012.

Rather than being seen as a threat to traditional wood treatment operations the message was clear. There are real opportunities for local companies to diversify their current operations, their products and markets. In most cases it compliments existing operations and provides the company with an early competitive advantage.

Key trends and issues highlighted in Wood Preservation 2012 are expected to have a major bearing on the future operation of Australian and New Zealand companies in the next few years.

Who attended Wood Preservation 2012?

Wood treatment companies, all major suppliers of treatment chemicals to Australasian treatment operations, the main product and service suppliers to the industry, Government Departments advising on building and construction, consultants and key researchers from across the industry attended the 2012 series.

Comments from the 2012 series